London 2012 organisers are hopeful they have solved the problems with the
much-criticised surface for the equestrian competition arena after
complaints from some of the world’s leading riders forced them to go back to
the drawing board.

The official Olympic test event in Greenwich Park in July was overshadowed by criticisms by show jumpers that the footing was too heavy for top-class international competition, with British Nations Cup rider David McPherson likening the surface to a “pudding” and describing it as “nowhere near good enough”.

A retest of the same surface material, held after the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham’s NEC in October, produced similar complaints from riders that it was too waxy and had a “dead” feel.

But the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games is confident the issue has now been resolved after a new surface was tested earlier this week at the Lancashire yard of the surface contractors, Andrews Bowen.

This time the feedback was far more positive, with British show jumpers John Whitaker and Geoff Billington among those who declared themselves satisfied with the footing.

The surface is now expected to receive the official stamp of approval from the FEI, the international equestrian federation.

Ingmar de Vos, FEI secretary general, said: “We have had some very positive feedback from our technical people who were present at the test on this week.

“We have now received most of the final technical reports and, once we have completed the file, we are confident that we will be able to submit our conclusions to Locog shortly.”

The new surface is of the “dry” variety favoured on the continent, comprising just sand and fibre. The previous surface was “waxed” — a combination of sand, fibre and wax which is commonly used in the UK.

The success of the latest test will be a major relief to Locog given the short time period before the start of the Games. Construction of the temporary equestrian venue is due to begin in May.

The quality of the arena surface will be fundamental to the success of the equestrian competition as it will be the field of play for 12 out of the 13 days of equine competition at the Games, with only the cross-country event taking place on grass. The entire Paralympic competition also takes place in the arena.

Debbie Jevans, Locog’s director of sport, said; “It’s really important that we move into 2012 with things finalised, so that we can move to the delivery phase. That’s why it was it so important for us to get this right. I’m confident that we are going into 2012 with everything done and dusted.”